Junior High Bible Curriculum Can be used for 7th or 8th or 9th some are also using for 10th grade) Scope and Sequence Discovering Our Amazing God - Book 1 Discovering Who I Am In Christ - Book 2 Discovering Christlike Habits - Book 3 Discovering Christlike Character - Book 4 DeeperRoots.com/product-category/home-school
SCOPE AND SEQUENCE: Discovering our Amazing God Scope: The lessons in this Bible curriculum are designed to move the Junior High students past the mere facts of Bible stories to the serious challenge of getting better acquainted with God. From the moment we become believers, our best, most important study is God. Who is He? What is He like? These lessons use thought provoking questions and assigned meditations to lead the students to get to know God as a real person who wants to be involved with their lives. Each lesson identifies the same characteristic in both God the Father and God the Son. The scope of the lessons covers eight different aspects of God s character. While we could not cover all God s character in one semester, we chose some aspects which we believe to be basic for Junior High students to understand. You will find the lessons listed below showing both the scope and the sequence we have chosen. Sequence: Our writing team was in much prayer in choosing which Bible truths are most essential to an understanding of God s character and which order would best enable the Junior High student to progress from precept to precept. For example, the lesson on God s wisdom is followed by lessons on God s power and creativity in order to cement the relationship between these aspects of God s character. The sequence and goal of each lesson is presented below. You will find these goals in more detail, and the reasoning behind them, in the Teacher s Guide, Introductory Notes, at the beginning of each lesson. Lesson 1 Discovering God s Wisdom Goals: To enable the student to recognize God s wisdom at work in the Bible and in their own lives each day. To encourage the student to respect and trust in God s wisdom as recorded in His Word. Primary Scriptures: Old Testament, Esther; New Testament, Jesus and the Pharisees, Luke 20 Lesson 2 Discovering God s Power Goals: To open the students eyes to see something of God s power To create in the students hearts a sense of awe at God s power Primary Scriptures: Old Testament, Elijah s contest with the Prophets of Baal, I Kings 18:20-33; New Testament, Jesus raises Lazarus, John 11 Lesson 3 Discovering God s Creativity Goals: To enable the student to become more aware of and more sensitive to the evidences of God s creativity in nature. To have the student recognize and verbalize the relationship between God s power and His creativity. Primary Scriptures: Old Testament, Gen. 1, the Leviathan, Job 41; New Testament, the New Jerusalem, Rev. 21
Lesson 4 Discovering God s Love Goals: To lead the students to understand that God s love is everlasting, unconditional, persevering and unearned. Primary Scriptures: Old Testament, Jacob and Rachel, Gen. 29:15-30, Psa. 136, the Passover Feast, Ex. 12:1-13; Matt. 26:20-30, New Testament, 1 Cor. 13 Lesson 5 Discovering God s Holiness Goals: To enable the students to focus on God s holiness, grandeur and majesty. To spend class time in worshiping God and praising Him for His holiness. Primary Scriptures: Old Testament, Isaiah saw God, Is. 6; Ps. 99, Day of Atonement, Lev. 16; New Testament, the holiness of Jesus, Luke 5:1-8 and Rev. 5:6-14; Jesus as our High Priest, Heb. 4 Lesson 6 Discovering God s Faithfulness Goals: To present to the student concrete examples of God s faithfulness both in the Bible and in the lives of people today. To enable the student to trust God more as their understanding of God s faithfulness increases. Primary Scriptures: Old Testament: Psa. 107, God s covenant with Abram, Gen. 15; Old Testament and New Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah and their fulfillment. Lesson 7 Discovering God s Justice Goals: To enable the student to accept that God is perfectly justified in any judgment He dispenses. To portray to the student that, because of God s great love for mankind, He put His judgment on Jesus rather than on us. To enable the student to realize that God s justice and God s love meet at the cross. Primary Scriptures: Old Testament, Judges, David and Bathsheba, 2 Sam. 12, 13, and 18; New Testament, John 8:2-11 Lesson 8 Discovering God s Mercy Goals: To enable the students to realize that God s mercy is always available. To make the students aware that they experience God s mercy in many ways every day. To encourage the students to become thankful people. Primary Scriptures: Old Testament, David and Mephibosheth, 2 Sam. 9; New Testament, Peter denies Christ, Matt. 26, Peter s restoration and commission, John 21
SCOPE AND SEQUENCE: Discovering Who I Am in Christ Scope: The primary aim of these lessons is to take Junior High students beyond the facts of Bible stories to the wonderful knowledge of their identity in Christ. While we could not include the scope of all the truths of the believer s spiritual identity, we have chosen some Bible truths which we believe to be most essential to spiritual growth. You will find these lessons listed below showing both the scope and the sequence we have chosen. Sequence: Our writing team was in much prayer in choosing which Bible truths are most essential to spiritual growth and which order would best enable the Junior High student to progress from precept to precept. We chose to begin with a lesson Sinner or Saint, which presents the position of both saved and unsaved people. The sequence and goal of each lesson is presented below. You will find these goals in more detail, and the reasoning behind them, in the Teacher s Guide, Introductory Notes, at the beginning of each lesson. Lesson 1 Sinner or Saint? Goals: To enable the students to realize that all people are sinners, but believers are also saints. To enable the teacher to determine if there are any unsaved students in the class and to present a clear gospel message for those students. To enable the students to gain a clear understanding of sanctification. Primary Scriptures: Rom. 3; 1 Cor. 6 (Note: We have listed the main Scriptures that we have used in each lesson. Many other shorter Bible passages are also studied.) Lesson 2 A New Creation Goals: To provide students with an increased understanding of the new birth, using some concrete pictures. To enable the students to understand what the Holy Spirit accomplished in their lives the moment they were saved. To impress upon the minds of the students that they are indeed new creations. Primary Scriptures: Rom. 6:1-8; 2 Cor. 5:17 Lesson 3 Adopted! Goals: To deepen the students understanding of God as their Father and of His unconditional acceptance. To enable the students to understand some of the great advantages they have as children of the living, almighty God. Primary Scriptures: Rom. 8:15-16; Matt. 7:9-11; Heb. 4:16 Lesson 4 Precious in His Sight Goals: To increase the students awareness of God s great love. To enable the students to understand that God s love for them is unconditional. To encourage appreciation of God s love. Primary Scriptures: Isa. 43:4, 62:3; Deut. 32:9-10; Luke 12:6-7
Lesson 5 Citizen of Heaven Goals: To introduce the concept of citizenship and to broaden that concept to include the Christian s citizenship in Heaven. To enable the students to focus their minds on Heaven as their true home. Primary Scriptures: Acts 22:22-29; Matt. 25:14-29 Lesson 6 A Sheep in His Pasture Goals: To enable the students to see themselves as sheep who need a shepherd. To bring the students to the realization that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who longs to guide them and care for them. Primary Scriptures: Psa. 23.; John 10 Lesson 7 A Royal Priest Goals: To provide your student with an increased understanding of the Old Testament priests and their role. To enable the students to see Christ s role as the High Priest. To acquaint the students with their own roles as priests in the church today. Primary Scriptures: Ex. 28; Lev. 1; Heb. 10 Lesson 8 A Branch Full of Fruit Goals: To challenge the students to consider the difference in What does God do? and What do I do? in the daily Christian walk. To make the students aware that many of the Christian s trials are not discipline. To recognize God as the Master Pruner. To show the students that their position in Christ is eternally secure Primary Scriptures: John 15 Lesson 9 Free at Last Goals: To enable the students to realize that their redemption and forgiveness are complete and unconditional. To review and reinforce the concepts taught in this semester. Primary Scriptures: Ex. 1:6-14; Rom. 6:12-17; 1 John 1:4-9
SCOPE AND SEQUENCE: Discovering Christlike Habits Scope: The lessons in this Bible curriculum are designed to encourage Junior High students to form habits that will affect them throughout their Christian life. Each habit is presented with insights into its importance and with opportunities to practice and make application. While the Holy Spirit is not a habit, we believe that some understanding of His person and how He works underlies our ability to form Christlike habits. In addition to the Holy Spirit, the scope of the lessons covers five of the major Christian disciplines. We sought to choose the habits that are most applicable and appropriate for junior highers. You will find the lessons listed below showing both the scope and the sequence we have chosen. Sequence: Our writing team was in much prayer in choosing which Christian habits are most necessary to the daily life of a junior high student. As we wanted to create a logical progression, we felt that faith and the Holy Spirit were basic lessons on which the other lessons could be built. The sequence and goal of each lesson is presented below. You will find these goals in more detail, and the reasoning behind them, in the Teacher s Guide, Introductory Notes, at the beginning of each lesson. Lesson 1 Growing Faith Goals: The goals of this lesson are to enable your students (1) to understand the true meaning of faith, (2) to realize the important role faith plays in a believer s life from salvation to a consistent walk with God, and (3) to learn some ways to cooperate with God in strengthening their faith. Primary Scriptures: Heb. 11, Matt 8:5-10, Rom. 1:17, Luke 17:3-5, James 2:17-18, Psa. 105, 66, 111, several passages from Job. Lesson 2 Our Everpresent Helper Goals: Many junior high students have only a vague idea of who the Holy Spirit is or what His role is in their lives. This lesson aims to broaden their understanding of the Holy Spirit--His person and His purposes. Your students need to know that the Holy Spirit a person of the Trinity lives in them and delights in teaching, guiding, and changing them to be like Jesus. Primary Scriptures: John 14 and 16, Eph. 1:13-14. John 1:1-5, 1 Cor. 2:9-11, Matt. 3:13-17, various passages from Acts. Lesson 3 The Secret of the Will Goals: The first goal of this lesson is to demonstrate to your students the essential role the will plays in their day to day walk with Jesus and in their spiritual growth. This lesson should show your students how to bring their emotions under control by allowing the Holy Spirit to control their wills. Also, it should encourage them to live guided by choices of their will rather than by their feelings. Primary Scriptures: Joshua 24:1-16, Gen. 1:27-31, Gen. 3:1-3, 2 Cor. 5:14-17, John 15:9-11, Rom 6:13, 16, and 19 and Rom. 12:1, 1 Sam. 30:1-6.
Lesson 4 The Gift of Prayer Goals: As your students study this lesson, we hope they ll discover that prayer is not just a one-way conversation. Prayer includes fellowship with God, meditation (thinking deeply) on His Word, and expectation that God will respond to us. Primary Scriptures: Rev. 3:19-20, Psa. 119:11, 105, and 133, Zeph. 3:17, John 16:13-14, 1 Tim. 2:2 and 24, 1 Kings 19:12-13, 1 John 5:14. This lesson covers 23 days, so there are several other scriptures used. Lesson 5 Celebrating God Goals: The goals of this lesson are to broaden your students understanding of what true worship is and to challenge them to enjoy participation in that true worship. Primary Scriptures: John 4:23-24, 2 Sam. 23:13-17, Psa. 67:1-5, Rev. 5:9-10, Gen. 35:13-15, Psa. 100:1-3. Lesson 6 Feeding on God s Word Goals: In this lesson, our goals are to clearly demonstrate the importance of Bible study, to give the students practice in some methods they can use to understand the Scriptures better, and to increase their appetite to meet the Master in their study of His Word. Primary Scriptures: 1 Pet. 2:2, Mark 8:17-18, Josh. 1:7-9, James 1:22-26. Other scriptures are used in practicing Bible study methods. SCOPE AND SEQUENCE: Discovering a Christlike Character Scope: The lessons in this Bible curriculum are designed first to help young teen students focus on Jesus Christ and come to a deeper knowledge of His character and second to enable them to personally develop a more Christ-Like character. We believe that Christians only become truly like Christ by growing in knowledge and relationship with Him. Our part is to study God s Word and obey it; God s part is to conform us to be like Christ (Rom 8:28-29). Most of the Scriptures used come from the four Gospels. Some descriptions of Jesus Christ have been taken from the rest of the New Testament and the Psalms. The lessons cover eight different aspects of Christ s character. Obviously we could not cover all of Christ s characteristics in one semester, so our goal was to choose the qualities with which young teen-agers most often struggle. Sequence: The sequence and goal of each lesson is presented below. You will find these goals in more detail, and the reasoning behind them, in the Teacher s Guide, Introductory Notes, at the beginning of each lesson.
We are very aware that attempts to emulate Christ s character often result in believers attempting to follow a set of rules and then suffering either pride on success or guilt on failure. This curriculum makes every effort to avoid that trap by always pointing the students back to the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit within believers as the only means of developing a Christ-Like character. Lesson 1 Discovering Christ s Joy Goals: To introduce Christ as a man of joy through examples of His actions and words. To encourage the students to accept His gift of joy and to experience it in their daily lives. Lesson 2 Discovering Christ s Integrity Goals: To demonstrate to the students that Christ faced every kind of temptation, yet overcame it all. To encourage the students that Christ wants to give them His power to overcome temptation, as well. Lesson 3 Discovering Christ s Forgiveness Goals: To show the students examples of Christ s forgiveness when He lived on earth, and to enable them to accept that Christ has fully forgiven them. To present the truth that they are able to forgive others because He has forgiven them. Lesson 4 Discovering Christ s Humility Goals: To vividly portray examples of Christ s humility and self-effacing service. To challenge the students to follow in Christ s footsteps as they serve others. Lesson 5 Discovering Christ s Unselfishness Goals: To open the students eyes to the extreme level of unselfishness that characterized Christ s life. To encourage the students that dying to self produces the best kind of life. Lesson 6 Discovering Christ s Self-control/Self Discipline Goals: To give the students an awareness of Christ s self-control in all situations. To challenge the students to practice self-control through His power in them. Lesson 7 Discovering Christ s Love Goals: To open the students understanding to the reality and depth of Christ s love for them personally. To lead the students to understand that Christ s love is everlasting, unconditional, persevering and unearned. To challenge the students to reach out to others in love as Christ reaches out to them. NOTE: Rooted and Grounded Bible curriculum for 11th or 12th grade is also available.